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12 towns to become “Portas Pilots“

Mary Portas and Grant Shapps, the Local Government Minister, have launched a competition to choose 12 towns to become the ‘Portas Pilots.’

Struggling towns and cities across England will benefit from a share of £1m to help revamp their “unloved and unused” high streets.

The towns and cities are invited to submit proposals that best serve the recommendations of Mary Portas’ High Street Review.

Mr Shapps, said: “Our high streets have faced stiff competition from internet shopping, and out-of-town shopping centres, leaving them underused, unloved and under-valued.

“The internet is not going to go away, and so for our high streets to survive they need to offer something new and exciting.”

He went on to introduce his “golden ticket” to 12 town centres, which he said would go to areas with the vision and enthusiasm to breathe new life into what should be the beating heart of their communities.

Mary Portas said: “I am thrilled that now there is an opportunity to turn my recommendations into reality by giving communities across the country the opportunity to come forward with their vision for breathing new life into their locality.

“I hope my Review has inspired people with another vision of tomorrow where our high streets are re-imagined as destinations for socializing, culture, well being, learning as well as shopping.

“I want the first twelve Town Teams to challenge the old ways of working, experiment, take risks and reaffirm their place at the heart of a community. A place we all want to be and can be proud of.”

Successful localities will creat “Town Teams” comprising key figures in the local community such as the council, local landlords, shopkeepers and the local MP.

Such teams will be supported by the Minister, Whitehall and Mary Portas as they work to implement the recommendations of her review.

Mr Shapps added: “I want to see how these Town Teams plan to try new things, experiment and ensure that their high streets and parades become destinations for local people want to be.

“But these pilots are just the start. We want to learn their lessons and help communities across the country breathe new life into their own towns.

“Launching this competition now is a signal of our understanding that there’s no time to waste in driving forward these important measures.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .